Your views wanted on local game

THE public are being urged to add their voice about the state and future of Guernsey football. The Guernsey Football Association have sent out copies of a questionnaire, the FA National Game Strategy 2008-2012, which their LBG Board wants islanders to complete.

It is part of the consultation process that the board are undertaking before writing a strategy to take Guernsey football through to 2012.

The questionnaire has been designed to engage internal and external partners and other interested parties in the process prior to the development by the GFA of its four-year plan, which must be delivered by 1 May.

It must be prepared to ensure that the sport maximises the investment opportunities available for local delivery of the National Game Strategy.

Public feedback is viewed as very important to the planning process and all responses will remain confidential.

The GFA are asking participants at all levels of the local game for their input.

Respondents are not obliged to answer all questions if they feel there are some areas in which their experiences are limited.

A senior player may, for example, not be familiar with the current mini soccer programme.

The board are urging coaches to pass questionnaires on to people who might wish to contribute.

In 2006, the Football Association undertook to develop a National Game Strategy from 2007-12 and key aspirations up to 2020.

The strategy sets out a clear purpose, vision and strategic objectives and will provide a framework for National Game Board investment.

Its scope includes all aspects - development, facilities and investment, FA learning, governance, equality and child protection, referees, leagues, IT and communications.

The purpose is to produce a strategic framework that sets out the key priorities, expenditure proposals and targets for the national game in the immediate future.

Four key goals make up the framework:

* growth and retention - increasing the number of players and addressing retention

* raising standards and addressing abusive behaviour

* developing better players, particularly focusing on improving the quality of the five to 11 age group

* running effectively, leading and governing the game

It is recognised that to do that successfully the following three key enablers are seen as critical:

* a highly skilled and diverse paid and volunteer workforce

* high quality training, playing and educational facilities

* an effective marketing PR and communications plan

The questionnaire asks respondents a series of statements/questions on the local game.

Copies can be downloaded from the GFA website on www.guernseyfa.com or can be obtained by contacting GFA county secretary Neil Laine on 200443 or email on neil.laine@guernseyfa.-com.

They must be sent by Friday 1 February to Neil Laine, County Secretary, Guernsey Football Association LBG, Corbet Field, Grand Fort Road, St Sampson's, GY2 4FG.

The most recent draft of the National Game Strategy is available for viewing on the FA website, theFA.com.